This is a long and sometimes rambling account of my investigation into the creation account, specifically with regard to the word “Boker” or morning. It is one of the most fascinating concepts I have ever discovered with regard to the Torah and the Hebrew language. The question is, do the ideas contained within hold up to scrutiny?
I happened upon this thought whilst researching the creation account. I don’t know if it’s original or has been discussed before, but if anyone is familiar with this idea, can you point me towards an analysis (if such a thing exists)?
After researching their etymology, the words Erev and Boker (or Voker) seem to have dual meanings, and thus could be used to gain further insight into the text. The commonly accepted literal translation of the phrase “Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom echad” reads “And it was evening and it was morning, one day”.
I was initially interested in the word “boker” and why it has the same root as “bakar” or cattle. This led to me discovering that “boker” fundamentally means “splitting” or “cleaving”.
I was excited but not surprised to find that upon researching the word “Erev” that it held the opposite connotations, ideas of mixture or gathering.
Leaving aside discussion over the word “Yom“, literally meaning day for the moment (I have other theories about that), it is highly interesting to then read the verses in this new light (if you’ll pardon the pun).
“And it was unified, and it was split, day one” obviously makes perfect sense with regard to day one and holds interesting implications for the subsequent days.
The idea that the creation can be reconciled scientifically by a series of “splitting of states” is highly fascinating for me. This also resonates with the idea (as stated in the Shema) of God being “One” – perhaps this reality is just the result of the splitting of that “one” into smaller discrete parts?
Edit: I have recently found an independent version of a similar theory in the book “The Science of God” by Dr. Gerald Schroeder. He describes the same ideas (which he attributes to Nachmanides), but instead relates ‘erev’ to mixture as in disorder or chaos. And to ‘boker’ he ascribes the idea of order (from bikoret-orderly, able to be observed). However he still seems to have missed the fundamental idea of ‘splitting’ which in my opinion is the key to unlocking the whole thing.
So to clarify the question: Has anyone written an analysis of Genesis 1 through the lens of these alternate meanings of ‘erev’ and ‘boker’? Is mine a plausible theory? Why or why not?
Edit 2: I just thought of another key argument which (again very simply but elegantly) supports my claims. In conversation with AbuMunirIbnIbrahim he challenged me on the meaning of בָּקָר, saying there is no evidence of linkage with the idea of splitting or division. I answered him thusly:
“In the case of בָּקַע and בָּקָר, however there is a clear linkage, which is discernible from one key translation of the root word:”בְּקַר: to plough, to break forth, to inspect. The Gesenius Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon translated by Friedrich Wilhelm states that the word בָּקָר is named for its purpose: of ploughing. This shows an undeniable link. Additionally there is also a second link which is that of the cloven hoof, which is one of the fundamental aspects of Kashrut.”
Coincidentally the other defining feature of a Kosher animal is that it is ruminant, ie. It has a divided or split stomach relative to other mammals. So both aspects of Kashrut involve the idea of splitting or division.
However, his reference to Ezekiel 34:12 really got me thinking…
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are separated, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness.
Look at this verse closely. “his sheep that are separated”. It hit me that this a fundamental characteristic of “בָּקָר” or cattle:- to flock or herd. A single animal from a flock represents the division of a whole into smaller discrete parts. Again this consistent use of language resonates perfectly and works with everything in its context. Sheep separating from the flock. The flock separating from the shepherd. Man separating from God. This verse (intentionally or not) uses the three letter root בקר twice and is directly concerned with the idea of unification (the flock) and divison (the scattering) and the subsequent reunification.
Edit 3: After some more research I am convinced that the two letter root “בק” literally means divide or split. Further, I am starting to think that the two letter root forms a fundamental part of the 3 letter root (which I have now subsequently learned is also a major part of Kabalistic thought). http://www.2letterlookup.com/ is a very useful tool in efficiently searching for patterns in the letter combinations and in the brief time I’ve been using it, I’ve seen some remarkable results.
In addition to the words listed above, I started looking for 3 letter root words with בק at the end (letters 2 and 3). Again I found multiple references to the idea of splitting, but one in particular stood out:
-Abaq (אָבַק or אָבָק) according to Gesenius means “fine dust” or “light particles” His conjecture as to the etymology reads:
“אָבַק a root not used in Kal, which I suppose to have had the force of to pound, to make small, from the onomatopoetic syllable בק, בך, פג, פק, which, as well as דך, דק (see דָּקַק, דָּכַךְ ), had the force of pounding; comp. בָּכָה to drop, to distil;”
The feminine form of the word also means powder. Clearly the idea of dust or powder as small particles removed from a larger whole again demonstrate exactly the same concept.
But this isn’t where it ends- it gets far more interesting. Genesis Chap. 32 recounts the story of Yaakov wrestling with the angel. The story often seems to be making cryptic allusions. First, Yaakov and his family crossed the ford of Yabok (יבק) – a name which appears to be highly symbolic. Then they wrestled (וַיֵּאָבֵק) the etymology again goes back to dust.
However, Rashi has a different interpretation attributing the word to an Aramaic expression found in the Talmud: דָּאִבִיקוּ. This is derivative of the 3 letter root דבק, meaning adhere, glue or impinge. Again the word references the concept of unification and division, since glue binds two discrete objects together.
I realise that this is moving away somewhat from a hermeneutic question, but I think it needs to be discussed. Either way I have realised that the Hebrew language is so much more complex and ingenious than I ever realised.
Varnel Watson
sure thing Michael Ellis Carter Jr. Link Hudson
Varnel Watson
sounds like a dumb question BUT IS IT? Philip Williams has reported on several non-Pentecostal issues already
Varnel Watson
in relation to the REVELATION OF EVANGELICAL THEOLOGY Neil Steven Lawrence Steve Losee Larry Dale Steele http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/the-revelation-of-evangelical-theology
Stephen Howsare
True Christianity doesn’t change, if ones is changing it’s not Christianity it’s just a Christian like religion.
Varnel Watson
are you saying we are NO true Chrsitians Stephen Howsare
Stephen Howsare
Troy Day if you don’t see the truth of my statement then either you aren’t or you are deceived or both. We change for God, God doesn’t change for us.
JoAnne Harris
Stephen Howsare amen
Joshua Seabolt
Anytime you turn Christianity into a religion, you’ve already changed it
Charles Page
Progressive Christianity is always in a state of change to accommodate our weaknesses
Karl Ernst Von Buddenbrock
Just take a look. Time to reject the modern trends https://www.citizengo.org/en-eu/fm/180036-hollywood-wants-make-jesus-woman-help-us-stop-it?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=EN_ROW-2020-06-03-Local-FM-GM-180036-Hollywood+Habit.01_AA_Launch+ZA&utm_content=typage&tcid=72406021
Glory Kramlich
There is no “brand” of Christianity. There ARE progressives who believe they are enlightened somehow to bring new light into the teachings of our Lord as if our Lord forgot to do something?
Danie Van Der Westhuizen
We have to adapt. As science reveal more and more about His universe, and we learn more, we see our assumptions and understanding of certain aspects is not accurate. For instance, the 7 periods of time in which the Universe were Created. It’s not 7 days, as in 24hr cycles, but periods of time. Same word in the language used then. Translators thought days were more appropriate than periods of time. Yet we know now for a fact that the Earth is billions of years old, and dinosaurs most definitely did not fit in the Ark with the rest of the animals.
Varnel Watson
Danie Van Der Westhuizen ADAPT? to what – worldly morals and values in a corrupt and failing system of SIN? JESUS never adapted He LED culture – a left behind church will still be saying we need to adapt after the real church is grabbed away Steve Losee
A small virus shut down most churches in the world and they are so crippled they can hardly open again HOW is such a weak church open during the Tribulation and save soul? No cant do
(1) for starters: ONLY the ones who take the mark of the Beast (whoever that may be) will not be able to buy or sell. Anything! Food, gas, electricity, water – absolutely nothing.
(2) The pastors will NOT be able to receive salaries, insurance or anything included in their package. Remember, if the church cannot buy or sale, neither can the pastor receive a salary. And even if a salary is given, what would the pastor spend it on without the mark of the beast?
(3) Tithing system – those are most usually set up with a paper check or some sort of electronic banking like debiting or crediting. With the mark of the beast, the church will NOT be able to receive those moneys and even if it does, it cannot operate with them to buy or sell anything.
(4) What about church buildings – without the mark of the beast they will not be able to purchase any service – electricity, lights, internet, gas for church vans, insurance, special events, catering, food – no communion elements. Nothing at all. With no professional services available, a church building may last a few months, but will fall apart soon before the Tribulation is over… Just think about it
(5) Any other church related logistics or operations that depend on the purchase of gasoline and transportation. They way current church infrastructure in America is set up, how many would actually take the time to walk miles and miles to a church?
Matthew Ellis
You misspelled R E F O R M I N G……?
Varnel Watson
thank you professor for catching it NOW to the matter at hand that is NOT a matter of phone auto spell check
The anti-WOF posts got me to thinking…..By the way, this is not pro or anti WOF though I do adhere to some of those beliefs which by the way really are beliefs passed on to them from the previous generation of pentecostals….
1) Several have argued about using OT references and applying it to today such as Deut 28. If this is true, the greatest ruse is perpetrated each week under the guise of tithing.
2) The modern church meeting in buildings seems to more resemble the OT temple. Again, keep those tithes going to keep the temple…ahem…the church building and salaries going…..
3) Many here that post are Pentecostal. But, some say women are to keep silent in church while others play the culture card. Do we play the culture card with passages we don’t like?
4) What is the initial evidence of the baptism? Some here disagree.
5) I remember some posters a long time ago believed Charles Stanley and OSAS people will split wide open. Really? If this is such a great gift, why didn’t Billy Graham have it?
6) Then there’s oneness and trinitarians…..who’s got the right formula for baptizing? I know it’s not an issue here but….if you don’t say in Jesus name….still unsaved….
7) Billy Graham seemed to be open to the notion that other faiths were “of the same fold” as us…
8) there’s divorce. How many views do we have here on the issue? i remember reading posters and pastors saying that staying in the second marriage is perpetual adultery…
9) Some good Godly people that I know are embracing gay marriage and you can still be saved as a gay person
10) We are opposed to abortion at conception but finding solid references saying the spirit of man enters at conception seems elusive. Therefore, many in the church are pro-choice up to 4 weeks…
Matthew Ellis
It was a lighthearted joke bro but if you want the breakdown of each point…..
1)I’ll agree it’s out of context to use Deut.28 but did not the NT church under the encouragement of Paul and other leaders pool together resources and raise funds for the spread (not of their own ministries) but of the Gospel?
2)I’ve met in church buildings, living rooms, campsites, a high school auditorium, old warehouses and a shopping center storefront….The church is not the building….It is the people. The OT temple was a single use, single purpose structure. We’ve used churches for disaster relief, shelters, clothing and food distribution, dance classes, homesteading meetups, band practice space, recitals and concerts. Again the modern “building” is just that…a resource. The spirit dwells in people and is no longer only in the temple.
3)No….women can speak, as for elders and pastor ship ….based upon 1 Tim 2:12….personally I’m not sure….tbh still trying to figure out if that was meant specifically for the church at Ephesus or for the church as a whole. Paul mentions many women by name like Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia, Euodia….etc….many of which are mentioned as coworkers for the gospel or hosted churches at their homes…..so I honestly cannot say yet…..more research needed. (Probably getting me in trouble with my hardcore reformed bros)
4)A heart that once loved sin now hates it
5)wha? Lol…Never heard of this….must be a Pentecostal thing….
6)Baptism is not what saves you, it’s merely the outward expression and I’ll always baptize the way my model, Christ did in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit….btw oneness is not biblical and in serious theological error and has been considered heresy by the church for thousands of years. If you wish to refute this claim take the 1.5 hours and watch Mike Winger’s biblical explanation of the trinity on YouTube before doing so.
7)Well yes, mainline Protestantism whether they be cessationists as in the case of many reformed types (not myself) or continualists (myself included) I would consider brothers and sisters, as long as they don’t add heretical teachings that completely contradict scripture (oneness Pentecostals, speaking in tongues as only true evidence for salvation…See 1 Corinthians 12). The Gospel is enough, Jesus is enough, why muck it up with a bunch of other non-essentials?
8-Divorce is not part of God’s intention, yet it happens. Sin happens. God’s unmerited grace is sufficient but again, it is not His intention. I want to meet one person who has not struggled with committing adultery in their heart….It’s not what you do, it’s what Christ has done. That said I hate divorce, my God hates divorce.
9)See 4. Sin won’t last long if the Holy Spirit truly begins to work in someone’s heart. That being said, how many people do you know struggle with a sin, a stronghold that they must fight tooth and nail and may even fight for the rest of their life? It doesn’t mean they won’t struggle, it means there will be struggle because they now have the Holy Spirit to convict them. They will be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit.
10) Nope abortion is murder pure and simple. The moment of conception is the moment of genetic distinction….it’s a person…. named and loved by God.
That better?
Varnel Watson
Matthew Ellis so you are an OT legalist now?
Matthew Ellis
Troy Day how so?
Varnel Watson
Matthew Ellis I am trying to understand what you said here
I’ll agree it’s out of context to use Deut.28 but did not the NT church under the encouragement of Paul and other leaders…
Matthew Ellis
Troy Day I mean the tithe verses so often preached from the OT as a rule that Christians need to follow aren’t necessarily what we should be preaching. There are examples in the NT church sharing funds with each other for missions and ministry. It has shifted from a lawful obligation to a heart condition of generosity.
RichardAnna Boyce
change name of church to Black lives matter to Jesus, and see how many new seekers turn up 🙂
Varnel Watson
RichardAnna Boyce you remain racist in your own AUzi ways I could say that the change toward free grace is one complete failure